Textronics develops transmitter for heart rate monitoring fabrics
Developer of wearable sensors for fitness and health monitoring Textronics, Inc. has developed a new transmitter for use with the stretchy fabric electrode sensors that are knitted into the company’s NuMetrex brand of heart rate monitor fitness apparel.
The new transmitter fits into a small pocket in its sports bras and shirts, where it receives the heart rate signal from textile sensors located across the chest band area. The data is then transmitted to a watch or exercise machine which displays a read-out of the heart rate
“When it comes to heart rate monitoring, comfort and accuracy can work against each other. Fabric sensors stretch and move with the body which makes them super comfortable but potentially confusing to existing transmitters,” explains developer Brian Wheeler.
